MCV Type 16

On October 9, 2013, the Scientific and Research Technical Institute for Ground Equipment from Samiakhara demonstrated for the first time the prototype of the maneuverable fighting vehicle MCV (Maneuver Combat Vehicle).

The vehicle has an especially high mobility on the roads. In addition, it can be quickly transported by military transport aircraft and in a short time deployed in the war zone. The MCV armored structure provides sufficient rigidity to fire from the 105-mm antitank gun, and also protects against RPG-7 rocket launchers. This defense vehicle has weight like medium armored vehicles, but the firepower like main battle tanks. It was designed to conduct combat operations in the event of alleged aggression on the islands, to fight partisan detachments, and to secure the conduct of a sweep in the city and conduct reconnaissance by combat.

The vehicle can be attributed to a class of reconnaissance vehicles or wheeled tanks (because of weapons with a large-caliber gun). The chassis has 8 wheels with large-diameter tires, which is common for vehicles of this class all over the world. Fuel tanks are placed along the sides.

The development of vehicles was started by the institute in 2008, and in 2014 it was able to complete one prototype. The total cost of development work was about $ 183 million. It is planned that in the next two years MCV tests will be conducted in the Japanese self-defense forces, after which it will formally be put into service in 2016 financial year.

The crew of the combat vehicle is 4 people - commander, driver, gunner and loader. Weight - about 26 tons with overall dimensions of 8,45õ2,98õ2,87 m. It has a 4-stroke 4-cylinder diesel engine whith power of 570 hp. at 2100 rpm, which allows moves with maximum road speed of 100 km/h.

The installed turret by the silhouette resembles the turret of the Japanese Type 10 Main Battle Tank. It is armed with a main gun of the caliber 105 mm, 12.7-mm large-caliber machine gun, and a coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun. To enhance the protection of the nose of the turret has a wedge shape.

The powerpack is located in the the front left part of the hull. To the right of it is the driver's compartment. The frontal armor protects from 105-mm artillery round.

The 105-mm artillery gun is similar in construction to that used in the Type 74 Main Battle Tank. Manual charging. Ammunition is used the same. The novelty about the tank gun is the presence of a muzzle brake, which removes the load on the body of the vehicle during the shooting.

To the right of the gun is a coaxial machine gun. To the left is a hole for the laser radiation sight sensor, which signals that the vehicle is illuminated by a laser rangefinder beam of the enemy. On the roof of the turret, at the back of the meteorological sensor, which provides information to the onboard computer about the speed and direction of the wind and atmospheric pressure, the automatic recording of which increases the accuracy of the shooting. Sensors and controls for fire extinguishing systems, the C4I functions correspond to or exceed the analogues of the Type 10 Main Battle Tank.

In the rear part of the hull there is an additional door, so most likely in the vehicle there is the possibility in addition to the crew to transport 4-5 infantrymen with weapons.

Tires produced by Michelin. Suspension is active, it absorbs some of the energy of recoil when gun shot, which increases the accuracy of shooting.

On the roof of the turret there is a large-caliber 12.7-mm pintle mounted M2 machine gun, but 40-mm automatic grenade launcher Type 96 can be installed instead of it. The concrete variant depends on the customer's wish.

The number of vehicles that are planned to be released is still unknown. It is expected that a tank regiment and a rifle division armed with MCV will be deployed.